6.24.2010

World Cup Fever...CATCH IT!

As it was last winter during the Olympics, I felt a deep sense of patriotic pride watching Team USA pull off their dramatic win vs. Algeria yesterday in the World Cup. Now, I'm far less knowledgeable when it comes to soccer than I am with hockey, but I do know two things: People love girls in sports jerseys, and they really love free stuff!

So with that in mind, I had a few stickers of my Team USA World Cup girl printed up, and am offering them to the first 15 or so commenters on this post. I'm looking for actual comments, too...something more than just "Gimme!". Your experience watching the game yesterday, a funny anecdote about your pants falling down while playing youth soccer, I dunno...something!

Like I said, I've got 15 or so of these babies to give away, but I'm holding a few back for folks who order stuff in the store...so should you decide to order something, I'll make absolutely sure you get one!

28 comments:

I was watching the game yesterday, mostly on mute because I'm one of those guys who can't stand the vuvuzelas. I was reading live blogs, tweets, etc... and I was all ready to say "I can't believe I wasted all this time watching soccer, this sport is ridiculous"...and then the goal happened. I tossed my laptop aside, stood up, cheered, yelled, and was running around my house chanting USA like an idiot. I'm pretty sure I tore my shoulder out jumping on the bandwagon.

it was amazing yesterday to find out just how many people I work with that were quietly watching the game. I work in a cube farm and there were way more people than I imagined "watching" the game online or through text updates. What an amazing feeling after that goal. Hoping for a big game saturday.

I snuck out of the office for an early lunch, and went to a local club. They had two TVs set up with England-Slovenia on the left and US-Algeria on the right. Before the match, the wife of the (English) owner took a poll: which audio should we be playing? Fortunately the USA won -- though I think the owner was less pleased.

Had a bit of singing before the match; there was one other guy (besides me) who seemed to be a Sam's Army vet. He turned out to be annoying during the game -- shouting abuse at the commentators, for pete's sake! -- but it added to the atmosphere.

We knew when England scored due to the shouts and cheers from the Rule Britannia side of the house. That left the USians even more tense. As the morning wore on, each US attack was met with a rising tide of anticipation, followed with groans of despair when the US just missed.

As we went into injury time, it seemed like Algeria could even score, and they pressed forward for their corner. But when Howard threw a brilliant outlet to Donovan, the shouts started immediately. The Dempsey shot almost left us in despair, but we saw that ball sitting so calmly, three yards out. And Landon is screaming forward...

I'm still having trouble talking today, after ripping my voice out on that goal. What a moment. This is probably not the US's most important win -- 2-0 over Mexico to reach the quarterfinals in Korea has to be it. But it's easily the most important goal I've seen from the US, and I'm still grinning today as I think about it.

I'm the definition of a casual fan, really only paying attention to the World Cup and the Olympics. But as a fan of another much-maligned that happens to be fucking awesome yet get little respect, I can definitely appreciate soccer for the drama it creates even when no one's scoring.

These World Cup games are so tightly contested...you seldom see a game where one single goal isn't the difference between winning and losing. Every minute of the game might as well be sudden death overtime. And the lack of commercials on the telecasts? It's fantastic.

Was at Gus' (formerly Out of Bounds) with about 15 of my friends. Most had skipped work. The usual friendly banter was missing as the pressure built. Utter frustration on the called back goal. So many chances but no luck. Donovan finally ends our suffering. The place erupted and before I knew it I was in a full hug with the kitchen manager. Been a soccer supporter for many years and that was one of the best moments I have ever seen.

You should also do a sticker of Brandi Chastain in her sports bra after winning the 1999 women's world cup.

As for the game, I must admit, I was totally pessimistic, they've had a way of screwing up at the last minute and Algeria was supposed to be pretty good, but they pleasantly surprised me. I also wonder if there isn't a feeling of anti-Americanism lurking behind all those botched calls disallowing U.S. goals.

I was able to follow the livecast of the game for the first half and was disappointed, and then I missed the second half because of meetings. D'oh! I found out about the win when the director of our department came back from a long lunch specifically to watch the game. Ah...the joys of being upper management. Maybe in 2014 for me. At least I will be able to see the game Saturday.

Back in elementary and middle school, some days in PE class were spent on soccer, and that is when I first played. I knew the basic "goal" was to score goals, but the whole idea of running around the field, chasing the ball turned off this "husky" kid. So I've never been a soccer fan.

However, when the Olympics and World Cup roll around, the patriotism sets in, and I want to see the USA finally win both top prizes in the sport. If we are in it, I'll root for them.

The first two USA games weren't easy, and bad calls hurt them. But this third game, with advancement on the line, was exciting. As time ticked away, the chances were disappearing, but that last drive to the net was fast, determined, and urgent. I honestly didn't think we'd have the luck to score, but Donovan was determined to go for it.

That goal was epic because they went the whole length in mere seconds, and put it home for the win. I yelled, clapped, and cheered because the ultimate goal was still possible. It won't be easy, but neither was getting to this point. But they won't give up, nor will I. I won't be running out to play a game soon, but I'll keep cheering on my country. Go USA!

How can I resist? An Ullman Girl in a USA jersey? It's like chocolate and peanut butter. The only thing that gets me to wave a flag is soccer. I've been going to US matches since 1995, and while I've never been to a World Cup, I've been to at least one qualifying match in each cycle (and an Olympic match in 1996). Love these guys for their skill but more important, their heart. They represent the best part of America. Go USA!

Like it was mentioned above, surprising how many people were closet Soccer fans! I'm really hoping this years cup will bring the US a little closer to the level of "fandom" the rest of the world shows for this sport. What an incredible win the US had Wednesday, I too am very anxious to see how Saturday goes! Go USA!!

I pretty much went from agony to ecstasy in a split second. Given all of our missed chances (and 2 disallowed goals), I thought we were simply snakebit this tournament. Then when Donovan's goal went in, I ran around my living room like a hollering idiot, while my 14-month old son wondered what the hell was up with Daddy.

Love this artwork. Love this World Cup. I was visiting friends in small-town Chillicothe, OH for the USA versus Slovenia match. Having no sports bars open at 9:30 AM, we set up shop at Carl's Townhouse for breakfast with one TV in the whole diner. As the seniors and regulars drifted in and out, my friends and I provided a regular diversion with our cheering and antics, and even got the waitress and guy-on-the-grill in on the action. As the Star-Spangled Banner concluded, a patron at the shop (who probably couldn't tell you what continent Slovenia is on) shouted out, "You sang it well, boys. Make us proud!" Indeed. :)

Whether or not there are any left, I feel the need to inform the internet that, after watching roughly 80 hours of soccer on my office computer, the only time my boss managed to walk by and catch me was mid-leap-in-the-air, tears-just-starting-to-form, attempting not to yell as the entire team dogpiled on Landon's back. At which point I had to explain what was going on in great detail; I missed all the replays, but it was well worth it to share the moment.

Watching the World Cup on ESPN with its announcers is rather dry. So, to drown out the vulvuzezas, I have been watching the games on UniVision and Telemundo.

I don't speak much spanish, but it is an exciting and passionate language. Something as simple as a pass or fast break turns into something the rivals a game 7 in the NHL...

We were watching the US game and after the first "GOOOOOOl" was taken away...the heartbreak was felt and heard for several minutes...then as the time went to injury time...the announcers were literally escalating and the "GOOOOOOL" was the eruption I've been waiting to hear!! It was a call that would rival any great call I've ever hear...just short of a "Miracle"...(My boyfriend would never let it go if I said that;)

While we're mixing soccer, patriotism and pulchritude, you could think of a poorer example than Hope Solo, the US Women's National Team goalkeeper. Who aside from being probably the best female keeper on the planet is, well...see for yourself:

We're well past 15 but I'll chime in. I was a quintessential American even at the young age of 4. My parents signed me up for soccer along with my cousin. I don't recall really wanting to, but I was going to give it a shot. That much, I can remember. My parents tell me that at the first game or practice, I forget which now, I gave it about 15 minutes, then walked off the field over to them and said "This game is stupid". I never played organized soccer again.

Old-Timey Hockey Tales

Celebrate the Golden Age of the coolest sport on earth. Features stories about Gordie Howe, Michel Briere, Lester Patrick and the Rocket Richard Riot. By Rob Ullman and Jeffrey Brown. 32 color and black and white pages, $6. Click the photo to order!

CONVENTIONS and APPEARANCES

Bio

ROBERT ULLMAN pays the bills as a freelance illustrator for a plethora of publications and clients, such as THE HOCKEY NEWS, PENTHOUSE, THE STRANGER, LAS VEGAS WEEKLY, HarperCollins, The U.S. Army and The American Red Cross. He creates comics in his spare time (of which there never seems to be enough), including ATOM-BOMB BIKINI, GRAND GESTURES, and OLD-TIMEY HOCKEY TALES.
rob (at) robullman (dot) com